Applied Materials to Emphasize Urgency of Preparing Students for High Tech Jobs of the Future at SEMICON West

Published on July 13, 2009 at 6:16 AM

Applied Materials, Inc. will
emphasize the urgency of preparing students for the high tech jobs of the future
during SEMICON West, held in San Francisco this week. The company will also
discuss how a shortage of talent may affect the industry and America’s
position as a global technology leader. Additionally, Applied Materials will
underscore its strong commitment to the semiconductor industry by highlighting
the Applied Materials Foundation Women in Science and Technology Scholarship
Program designed to encourage participation by women in science and engineering.
Also being showcased are successful initiatives promoting math, science and
semiconductor technology education that are helping develop future technology
innovators.

“As a global leader in a fast-changing and competitive marketplace, Applied
Materials is constantly innovating and commercializing products to stay ahead
of future technology trends,” said Tom St. Dennis, senior vice president
and general manager of Applied Materials’ Silicon Systems Group. “We
need the best and brightest talent—the challenge for our educational system
is to produce the workforce with the skills and knowledge required by the industry.
We believe women can be a source of that talent in greater numbers if they are
encouraged early in their education.”

To promote engagement in the industry and raise awareness of technical advances,
Applied Materials and the Applied Materials Foundation are supporting several
workforce development programs around the world that build bridges between schools
and business.

Women in Science and Technology Scholarship Program

To help realize the full potential of the workforce of tomorrow, the Applied
Materials Foundation has launched the Women in Science and Technology Scholarship
Program to encourage young women to excel in specific technical areas leading
to careers in science and engineering. Grants will be made to selected student
organizations at United States-based universities that are committed to developing
the next generation of women engineers. Learn more at: http://www.appliedmaterials.com/about/science_tech_scholarship_program.html.

SEMI Foundation’s High Tech U

Applied Materials and the Applied Materials Foundation are long-time supporters
of SEMI Foundation’s High Tech U for students and SEMI High Tech U Teacher
Edition programs. In a fun, three-day interactive session, students learn semiconductor
manufacturing concepts and microchip logic and get a chance to understand career
choices available in math and science-based professions. Students also learn
about the design and physics of solar cells.

The teacher program mirrors the student session, with an emphasis on ways educators
can implement program activities into their lesson plans. A primary objective
of the program is to help teachers learn about math and science-based careers
in high tech fields so they can advise students about educational options and
career pathways.

“Applied Materials and its Foundation have supported our industry and
this program from the very beginning, and in less than a decade this program
has helped reach several thousand students and teachers,” said Stan Myers,
president and CEO of Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI).
“The goal is to build interest and excitement in young people about math
and science careers and help develop the skilled workforce of tomorrow working
on next generation technologies.”

Since 2001, 90 High Tech U programs have been delivered reaching approximately
2,400 students directly. An additional 41,000 students have been reached through
the 476 teachers who have participated in High Tech U Teacher programs.

Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education

The goal of Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME) is
to provide teachers with professional development experiences to gain additional
learning and understanding of high tech practices to incorporate into their
course curricula to help better prepare a strong, highly skilled workforce in
math, science and technological fields.

Applied Materials, a long and active supporter of IISME, has hosted 90 Teacher
Fellows since 1994. This summer nine IISME Fellows will work at Applied Materials
on a variety of projects and will attend SEMICON West to learn about the latest
trends and technologies driving nanomanufacturing technology into the future.

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing
Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment,
service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat
panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient
glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve
the way people live.